Bro. Billy Joe Beckett

Rev. Billy Joe Beckett, 93, passed away on January 23, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North MS in Oxford, MS. He was born on April 30, 1930, to Thomas and Vallie Beckett in Bruce, MS.

Bro. Beckett served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He obtained a master's degree in forestry and earned a seminary degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  He served as a pastor in numerous churches in Mississippi and California for over 60 years. He also loved the woods and worked for the US Forestry Service as a forester. He taught Forestry at Northeast Community College. When he was not working or in the woods, he could be found spending time with his family and especially loved rocking his grandchildren.

Bro. Beckett is survived by his sons: Tim (Cherell) Beckett of Columbus, MS and Joe Beckett of Columbus, MS; daughter Janie (Doug) Dunn of Chattanooga, TN; brother Dwayne (Doris) Beckett of Auburn, AL; sister Jean Willis  of Grenada, MS; grandchildren: Cade Ghaffari, Jessica Ghaffari, Parker (Alexandra) Ghaffari, Summer (Max) Law, Alex (Ashtin) Beckett, Jessica (Jay) Grisham; Anna Kathryn Beckett, and Harper Dunn; great grandchildren: Freely Grace Grisham, Justice Grisham, Daily Grisham, Walker Grisham, Mary Beckett Grisham, and Bear Grisham, and a sister in law Shirley Beckett.

Billy Joe is preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Beckett; his parents Thomas and Vallie Beckett; and his brothers: Fred Beckett, James "Sport" Beckett, and T. A. Beckett.

Visitation for Bro. Beckett will be Saturday, January 27, 2024, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Parker Memorial Funeral Home in Bruce, MS, with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Parker Memorial Funeral Home with Bro. Floyd Lamb and Bro. Will Turner officiating. Burial will be in Bruce Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the pastor's benevolence fund co/ Mount Zion Baptist Church 1791 Lake Lowndes rd. Columbus, MS 39702 (662) 328-2811.

Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Beckett family and ask that you keep them in your prayers as they mourn the death of their loved one.